Apparatus, system, and method for painting a human nail

ABSTRACT

A nail painting machine, a cartridge for painting human nails is provided, and a method for painting human nails using a nail polish machine containing a nail polish cartridge therein is provided. The nail painting machine comprising a casing, the casing having an opening-closing means configured to open the casing to access a cartridge receiving portion and to close the casing to enclose the cartridge receiving portion; a positioning assembly disposed inside the casing including at least one motor, wherein the cartridge receiving portion is rotatably attached to the positioning assembly; and an operation assembly disposed inside of the casing having at least one positioning detector, and an ECU configured to communicate with the positioning assembly, and at least one positioning detector.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is related to an automated machine that is ableto paint a human nail.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The desire to paint one's nails has been popular for centuries, datingback to 3000 B.C. After the tech boom of the 1980's, the integration ofelectronics as a matter of convenience and efficiency becameincreasingly popular, including machines that are capable of performingnail art. In 1999, Japanese company Atlus launched a nail art machinelabeled “NailMore.” Subsequently, other companies launched similar nailart printing machines, for example, Plenty Inc. launched their “Nail ArtClub Machine” in 2003, and Mattel launched their “Barbie Dolled Up NailPrinter” in 2009. Each one of the above mentioned machines uses a methodof printing an inkjet pattern on a human nail that has been previouslytreated with an ink receptive nail polish. The major drawbacks for thesemachines it that they can be complicated, expensive, time consuming, andbulky.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present inventor has recognized is that it is desirable to provide amachine that is less expensive, less time consuming, compact, andfurther has the capability to treat the nail with nail polish ratherthan have the user paint the nail prior to using the device.Additionally, the inventor has recognized the need for the device toreceive consumable cartridges that can contain various types and colorsof nail painting liquid.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a nail paintingmachine for painting human nails is provided. The nail painting machinecomprises a casing, the casing having an opening-closing meansconfigured to open the casing to access a cartridge receiving portionand to close the casing to enclose the cartridge receiving portion; apositioning assembly disposed inside the casing including at least onemotor, wherein the cartridge receiving portion is rotatably attached tothe positioning assembly; and an operation assembly disposed inside ofthe casing having at least one positioning detector, and an ECUconfigured to communicate with the positioning assembly, and at leastone positioning detector.

In aspects, the positioning assembly of the nail painting machine mayinclude a first motor affixed to a first rack, the first rack beingslideably attached to a first guide allowing the positioning assembly tomove in a first direction along a first axis, a second motor affixed toa second rack, the second rack being slideably attached to a secondguide allowing the positioning assembly to move in a second directionalong a second axis, and a third motor affixed to a third rack, thethird rack being slideably attached to a third guide allowing thepositioning to move in an third direction along a third axis.

In aspects, the nail painting machine may also include a fourth motorthat is affixed to a fourth rack and is rotateably attached to thecartridge receiving portion, the cartridge receiving portion may berotatable about at least one of the first, second, and/or third axes. Inaspects, the operation assembly may further include a cartridge actuatorattached to the cartridge receiving portion.

In aspects, the ECU of the nail painting machine may be configured tocommunicate with the cartridge actuator. In aspects, the ECU may beconfigured to receive an image from the position detector; determine aposition of at least one nail; determine a contour of the at least onenail; determine a trajectory for the positioning assembly based on thecontour and position of the at least one nail; and command thepositioning assembly to execute the determined trajectory. In aspects,the cartridge receiving portion of the nail machine may be configured toreceive a cartridge.

A cartridge for painting human nails is provided. The cartridge maycomprise a container having at least two openings, the container havingnail polish therein; a plunger disposed in one of the at least twoopenings and may be sideably attached to the container; and anapplicator. The cartridge may be adapted to expel the liquid nail polishonto the applicator when the plunger is engaged.

In aspects, the cartridge may be adapted to be inserted into a cartridgereceiving portion of a nail painting machine. In aspects, the applicatormay be a brush. In other aspects, the applicator may be a fin. Inaspects, the container may include a tube extending outwardly therefromand substantially parallel to the applicator, the tube may be adapted tochannel nail polish therethrough and onto the applicator.

In aspects, the container may include an inner wall and an outer wallhaving a gap therebetween, the inner wall defining a plurality ofopenings, the plurality of openings may be adapted to channel nailpolish therethrough and onto the applicator, wherein the plunger may beretractable inside the inner wall.

A method for painting human nails using a nail polish machine containinga nail polish cartridge therein is provided. The method may comprise thesteps of: receiving an image from the position detector; determining aposition of at least one nail; determining a contour of the at least onenail; determining a trajectory for a positioning assembly bearing thenail polish cartridge of the nail polish machine based on the contourand position of the at least one nail; commanding a cartridge actuatorof the nail polish machine to engage a plunger of the nail polishcartridge and expel nail polish from the cartridge; and commanding thepositioning assembly to execute the determined trajectory.

In aspects, when executing the determined trajectory, an applicator ofthe cartridge may engage the nail, thereby applying nail polish onto thenail. In aspects, the applicator may be moved along the nail from aproximate, first position to a distal, second position, while performingthe method. In aspects, the cartridge may be rotated about an axis whenexecuting the determined trajectory. In aspects, the method may furtherinclude activating a dryer.

It is intended that combinations of the above-described elements andthose within the specification may be made, except where otherwisecontradictory.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure andtogether with the description, and serve to explain the principlesthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an exemplary nail painting machine;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-section of an exemplary cartridge with a plungerin a first position;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-section of a variation of the exemplary cartridgein a second position;

FIG. 3A shows an isometric view of another exemplary cartridge in afirst position;

FIG. 3B shows the exemplary cartridge of FIG. 3A in a second position;

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of an exemplary cartridge within acartridge receiving portion;

FIG. 5 shows a top isometric view of an exemplary positioning assemblyhaving an exemplary cartridge therein;

FIG. 6 shows a bottom isometric view of the exemplary positioningassembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary cartridge actuator in a first position, thecartridge actuator being attached to a cartridge receiving portionhaving the exemplary cartridge therein; and

FIG. 8 shows the exemplary cartridge actuator of FIG. 7 in a secondposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an exemplary nail painting machine 1.The nail painting machine 1 has a base 10. The base may include arun-off channel 12 and a hand receiving portion 14. As can be seen inFIG. 1, the hand receiving portion 14 may be a protuberance, having abulbous shape. However, the hand receiving portion 14 of the nailpainting machine 1 is not limited to a bulbous shape, and may be anyother suitable shape. The hand receiving portion 14 may define at leastone finger receiving area 14 a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hand receiving portion 14 may define a pluralityof circular shaped depressions, which is the finger receiving area 14 a.However, it is contemplated that the finger receiving area 14 a may be achannel or any other suitable shape. The hand receiving portion 14 maybe composed of a durable and non-slip surface, for example, rubber. Thesurface may be textured. The base 10 may be composed of one type ofmaterial or may be composed of different materials. For example, thehand receiving portion 14 may be a rubber sheet, the run-off channel 12may be a metal plate, and the remainder of the base 10 may be a polymer.

The nail painting machine 1 further includes a casing 20, which mayinclude at least one sensor 30, an indicator 22, and a lever 24. The atleast one sensor 30, which may be a camera, may be positioned facing thehand receiving portion 14 such that it can adequately sense the positionand dimensions on the finger nails of the user. For example, the sensor30 may be positioned in front of the hand and adapted to detect thethickness and the curvature of the finger, or the sensor 30 may bepositioned over the hand and is adapted to detect the boundaries of thenail. It is also envisioned that the nail painting machine 1 may furtherinclude a second sensor (not shown). For example, the first sensor 30may be positioned in front of the hand and adapted to detect thethickness and the curvature of the finger and the second sensor may bepositioned over the hand and is adapted to detect the boundaries of thenail. However, these are merely examples and the at least one sensor canbe located in any suitable place on the nail painting machine 1.

The indicator 22 may be disposed in a cut-out in the casing 20. Theindicator 22 may be an LED and is configured to indicate to a user ofthe nail painting machine 1 what actions to take. For example, if theindicator shows a green light, it is ready to commence or has finishedoperation. When the indicator shows a red light, there is an error inthe system.

The casing 20 may be hollow and may contain a cartridge receivingportion 300 and a position assembly 400 therein (shown in FIG. 5). Inoperation, the lever 24 may be locked when in a flat or first position.The lever may form a lip 25 that is at the distal end thereof. The lip25 may be disposed such that when the lever is in the first position,the lip 25 is easily accessible to a user of the nail painting machine1. Additionally, when the lever is in an upright, or second position,the casing 20 may be opened, exposing the cartridge receiving portion300. In this second position, a user of the nail painting machine 1 isable to insert a cartridge 100, 200 that contains nail painting liquid,into the cartridge receiving portion 300.

The base 10 and casing 20 may be a monolithic structure, however it isalso contemplated that the base 10 may be removably attached to thecasing 20.

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B which show an exemplary cartridge 100. Thecartridge 100 may include a container 110 which has an open first end112 and an open second end 116. The cartridge may be substantiallycylindrical in shape, however, it is also contemplated that thecartridge can be another other suitable shape, for example, a pyramid.In this embodiment, the cartridge 100 may further include a plunger 130,the plunger 130 having a gasket 132 circumscribing the outer surfacethereof. The plunger 130 may be adapted to slide from a first positionnear the second end 116 of the container 110 to a second position nearthe first end 112 of the container 110.

Additionally, the cartridge 100 may include an applicator 120liquidtightly connected to a first end 112 of the container 110. Theapplicator 120 may have a discharge vent 122, a mount 124, and a pad125. It is contemplated that the pad may be a brush or a fin or anyother suitable means for applying the contents of the cartridge 100.

The container 110 of the cartridge 100 may be hollow and may be adaptedto contain a nail polishing liquid therein. The liquid may be any one ofa suitable nail polishing liquid, including but not limited to, shellac,gel, or varnish.

The gasket 132 of the plunger 130 may be adapted to sealingly engage theinner surface of the container 110 of the cartridge 100. The gasket 132of the plunger may be composed of rubber, or any other suitablematerial.

In operation, when the plunger 130 is moved from the first position tothe second position, pressure is applied to any contents within thecontainer 110. The contents are then expelled out of the discharge vent122 and onto the pad 125 of the applicator. The discharge vent may beformed as an elongated cylindrical body that has an opening on each end.One end of the opening may be adapted to be in communication with anycontents that are within the container 110. The other opening may bebiased to face the pad 125 such that any contents that are expelled fromthe container 110 are directed toward the pad 125.

FIG. 2B is a variation of the exemplary cartridge in FIG. 2A. Thecartridge may have a discharge vent 126 that extends along the width ofthe pad 125. The discharge vent 126 may be formed to have an elongatedopening that corresponds with the width of the pad 125 such that thecontents that are expelled out of the discharge vent uniformly coats theentire width of the pad 125.

Turning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, another exemplary cartridge 200 is shown.Cartridge 200 may include a container 210 having a first end 212 and asecond end 214. The container may further include a channel 220extending between the first and second ends 212, 214 and form openings216, 218. The channel 220 may be partially a solid continuous piece andthe remainder is a grate portion 222, which defines holes 224. FIG. 3Ashows the grate portion 222 having a plurality of holes, however it iscontemplated that the grate portion 222 may have any number of holestherein.

Container 200 may be a first, retracted position, wherein a plunger 230,spring 232, and applicator 226 may be inside of and disposed withinchannel 220. The plunger 230 may be sealingly engaged with the grateportion 222 of the channel 220 such that any liquid inside of thecontainer is not expelled out of the opening 216. Positioned between thegrate portion 222 and the plunger 230 is the spring 232. When the spring232 is in an uncompressed position, the plunger 230 and applicator 226may be retracted into the channel 220 of the container 210. Theapplicator 226 may be affixed to the end of the shaft of the plunger 230b, on the opposite end of the head of the plunger 230 a. While in theretracted position, the applicator 226 may be sealingly engaged withholes 224 such that the contents of the container 210 do not fluidlycommunicate with opening 218. Thus, in operation, for example, theapplicator 226 obtains nail polish when the cartridge 200 is in theretracted position or the spring is in an uncompressed state. In theconfiguration in FIG. 3A, opening 218 may be obstructed by a seal orremovable plug.

FIG. 3B shows the cartridge 200 in a second, extended position. In thisposition, the plunger 230 is also in a second position where spring 232is in a compressed state. Specifically, the shaft of the plunger 230 bmay be partially extending away from and out of opening 218 such thatthe applicator 226 is on the exterior of the container 210.

The terms uncompressed and compressed should not be restricted tomeaning a fully uncompressed state or a fully compressed state. The termuncompressed means that the spring is in a more expanded state than whenthe spring in the compressed state. This also applies to the termcompressed state.

In operation, the cartridge 200 may start in a retracted and sealedstate. Once the plunger 230 is engaged, which may be performed byaccessing the head of the plunger 230 a via opening 216, and is movedfrom a first position, where the spring 232 is uncompressed, to a secondposition where the spring is compressed, a seal on opening 218 isruptured and the applicator 226 and shaft of the plunger 230 b arepermitted to pass though opening 218 and extend out of and away fromcontainer 210. In this second position, any contents inside of thecontainer 210 are not able to pass through holes 224 of the grate 222and be expelled from opening 218. If it is desired to apply contentsonto the applicator 226, the cartridge 200 may be returned to theretracted position.

However, it is envisioned as an alternative example that the contentsinside of the container may be able to pass through holes 224 of thegrate 222 when the cartridge 200 is in the extended position. In thisconfiguration, the contents inside of the container can flow along theapplicator 226. In both of the aforementioned examples, it is envisionedthat the contents inside of the container 210 may be a nail polishliquid.

FIG. 4 shows cartridge 100 secured within the cartridge receivingportion 300 of the nail polish machine 1. Here, the receiving portionmay include a collar 310 having a first end 312 and a second end 314.The collar 310 may be cylindrical in shape, however any other suitableshape may be used. Housed within collar 310 may be a spring 330 and agrip ring 332. The grip ring 332 may have a plurality of flexiblefingers 334, each of the flexible fingers 334 may define a lip 334 a andflange 334 b. The collar 310 may additionally have a plurality ofwindows 336. The windows 336 may be positioned in a manner to correspondwith the location of the fingers 334, for example, the windows 336 maybe equally spaced in three locations about the circumference of thecollar 310.

In operation, then the receiving portion is in a first state, wherespring 330 is uncompressed, the cartridge 100 may be inserted orcaptured into the flexible fingers 334 of the grip ring 332. Thereafter,the receiving portion 300 may be transitioned into a second state, wherespring 330 is compressed and the flanges 334 b of the fingers 334 snapinto windows 336 of the collar 310, thereby fixing the cartridge 100into the receiving portion 300. To release the cartridge 100 from thereceiving portion 300, the flanges 334 b may be lifted and pressedthrough windows 336, such that the fingers 334 are capable of slidingwithin the collar 310.

FIG. 5 shows the positioning assembly 400 of the nail painting machine1. This positioning assembly may be housed within the casing 20 of thenail painting machine 1. Additionally, the positioning assembly may beadapted in a manner such that the applicator of the cartridge can extendout of the casing 20 and maneuver between the casing 20 and base 10.

The positioning apparatus 400 may include a first motor 412 affixed to afirst rack 410, the first rack being slideably attached to a first guide414 allowing the positioning apparatus 400 to move in a first directionalong a first axis; a second motor 422 affixed to a second rack 420, thesecond rack 420 being slideably attached to a second guide 424 allowingthe positioning apparatus 400 to move in a second direction along asecond axis; and a third motor 432 affixed to a third rack 430, thethird rack 430 being slideably attached to a third guide 434 allowingthe positioning apparatus 400 to move in an third direction along athird axis. The positioning assembly may further include a fourth rack440 that includes the cartridge receiving portion 300 as well as afourth motor 442, a cartridge actuator means 500, and an electroniccontrol unit (ECU). The racks 410, 420, 430, 440 may be made of any typeof suitable material, including but not limited to, a polymer or ametal. Additionally, the first, second, and third motors 412, 422, 432may be stepper motors.

The fourth motor 442 is configured to allow the cartridge receivingportion 300 to rotate about at least one of a first, second or thirdaxis.

The cartridge actuator means 500 may be any suitable means to engage theplunger 130, 230 of the cartridge 100, 200 and move it from a firstposition to a second position. This will be discussed in more detailwhen referring to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The ECU may have a preloaded program that executes commands to themotors 412, 422, 432, 442 the cartridge actuator means 500, at least oneposition detector (not shown), and the indicator 22. Each of the motorsmay be capable of being controlled by a GRBL controller or anyequivalent control means.

Generally, the program that is loaded onto the ECU is programmed todetect if a cartridge has been loaded into the nail painting machine 1,detect if an object has been placed in the hand receiving portion 14,and then execute a nail painting program. This detection is made by atleast one sensor, which may be a camera.

The ECU can be adapted to execute a program that may detect an area ofthe nail. This detected area can be transformed into an ellipse tocompare geometric data (for example, half-major axis, half-minor axis,foci, etc.) between different detections. Further, the characteristicpoints of the nail or detected zone are also acquired. Next, the programcompares the orientation of the semi-major axis of the ellipse with thedetected axis of the finger. Preferably, the width of the major axis ofthe ellipse is not greater than the width of the nail considered. Thelowest point can be on the finger nail axis. The lowest point may be themost proximal portion of the nail. Performing this comparison makes itpossible to reject errors.

Further, the program may refer to a library of stored previousdetections. This library may be “clustered” in a manner such that thetypes of detected nails are grouped together according to thegeometrical data and the results of previous painting operations. Theprogram uses a statistical distribution of the acquired geometrical dataof the nails to determine how the data should be clustered. Thisclustering process is used primarily to determine whether the detectedarea is a nail, but it can also be used to assign specific paintingmethod to a type of nail shape.

In operation, if the ECU determines that an error has occurred andrejects the detection, the input of the detection is changed and theoutput (for example, the detected area) is then used in the program.This process may be repeated until the output is accepted (for example,placed in the right cluster).

Once a nail is positively detected, a matrix of pixels is populatedassigning a value of “1” if the pixel is associated with the edge of thenail and “0” otherwise. A conversion from pixels to millimeters is madeusing the matrix. This conversion of pixels to millimeters, or map, ispreloaded in the program. Then a coordinate system is determined fromthe pixels to millimeter coordinates.

The program then calculates the trajectory of the cartridge 100, 200based off of this coordinate system. The ECU activates the positioningsystem 400 to lower the cartridge 100,200, release the contents of thecartridge 100, 200, and apply the released content onto the nail.

Specifically, the positioning assembly should be compact in order tomove properly within the casing 200 of the nail painting machine 1. Forexample, the first rack 410 may be adapted to translate 50 mm on thefirst axis, the second rack may be adapted to translate 50 mm on thesecond axis, and the third rack 430 may be adapted to translate 30 mm onthe third axis. Additionally, it is preferable to rotate the applicator25 to 50 degrees relative to the nail.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8 which show a cross section of the cartridgeactuation means 500. In FIG. 7, the cartridge actuation means 500 is ina first retracted position and in FIG. 8, the cartridge actuation means500 is in a second, extended position. Here, the actuation means is alinear actuator that has a 20 mm course. However, it is contemplatedthat any other means of transitioning the plunger 130, 230 of thecartridge 100, 200 may be used.

In operation, once the nail polishing program has positioned thecartridge 100, 200, the cartridge actuation means 500 is actuated, whichcauses the plunger 130, 230 to be pushed from a first position to asecond position, thereby expelling the contents of the cartridge 100,200.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the term “comprisinga” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at leastone” unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in thedescription, including the claims should be understood as including itsend value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for describedelements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing orindustry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of theterms “substantially” and/or “approximately” and/or “generally” shouldbe understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

Although the present disclosure herein has been described with referenceto particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent disclosure.

It is intended that the specification and examples be considered asexemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated bythe following claims.

1. A nail painting machine for painting human nails, the nail paintingmachine comprising: a casing, the casing having an opening-closing meansconfigured to open the casing to access a cartridge receiving portionand to close the casing to enclose the cartridge receiving portion; apositioning assembly disposed inside the casing including at least onemotor, wherein the cartridge receiving portion is rotatably attached tothe positioning assembly; and an operation assembly disposed inside ofthe casing having at least one positioning detector and an ECUconfigured to communicate with the positioning assembly and at least onepositioning detector.
 2. The nail painting machine of claim 1, whereinthe positioning assembly includes: a first motor affixed to a firstrack, the first rack being slideably attached to a first guide allowingthe positioning apparatus to move in a first direction along a firstaxis; a second motor affixed to a second rack, the second rack beingslideably attached to a second guide allowing the positioning apparatusto move in a second direction along a second axis; and a third motoraffixed to a third rack, the third rack being slideably attached to athird guide allowing the positioning apparatus to move in an thirddirection along a third axis.
 3. The nail painting machine of claim 2,wherein a fourth motor is affixed to a fourth rack and is rotatablyattached to the cartridge receiving portion, the cartridge receivingportion being rotatable about at least one of the first, second, and/orthird axes.
 4. The nail painting machine of claim 1, wherein theoperation assembly further includes a cartridge actuator attached to thecartridge receiving portion.
 5. The nail painting machine of claim 4,wherein the ECU is further configured to communicate with the cartridgeactuator.
 6. The nail painting machine of claim 1, wherein the ECU isconfigured to: receive an image from at least one position detector;determine a position of at least one nail; determine a contour of the atleast one nail; determine a trajectory for the positioning assemblybased on the contour and position of the at least one nail; and commandthe positioning assembly to execute the determined trajectory.
 7. Thenail painting machine of claim 1, wherein the cartridge receivingportion is configured to receive a cartridge.
 8. The nail paintingmachine of claim 1, further including a second position detector,wherein the ECU is further configured to determine a curvature of the atleast one nail using the second position detector.
 9. A cartridge forpainting human nails, the cartridge comprising: a container having atleast two openings, the container having nail polish therein; a plungerdisposed in one of the at least two openings and is sideably attached tothe container; and an applicator, wherein the cartridge is adapted toexpel the liquid nail polish onto the applicator when the plunger isengaged.
 10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the cartridge is adaptedto be inserted into a cartridge receiving portion of a nail paintingmachine.
 11. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the applicator is abrush.
 12. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the applicator is a fin.13. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the container includes a tubeextending outwardly therefrom and substantially parallel to theapplicator, the tube being adapted to channel nail polish therethroughand onto the applicator.
 14. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein thecontainer includes an inner wall and an outer wall having a gaptherebetween, the inner wall defining a plurality of openings, theplurality of openings being adapted to channel nail polish therethroughand onto the applicator, wherein the plunger is retractable inside theinner wall.
 15. A method for painting human nails using a nail polishmachine containing a nail polish cartridge therein, the methodcomprising the steps of: receiving an image from the position detector;determining a position of at least one nail; determining a contour ofthe at least one nail; determining a trajectory for a positioningassembly bearing the nail polish cartridge of the nail polish machinebased on the contour and position of the at least one nail; commanding acartridge actuator of the nail polish machine to engage a plunger of thenail polish cartridge and expel nail polish from the cartridge; andcommanding the positioning assembly to execute the determinedtrajectory.
 16. The method of claim 15, further including the step ofacquiring the curvature of the at least one nail.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein when determining the trajectory, an applicator of thecartridge engages the nail, thereby applying nail polish onto the nail.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the applicator is moved along thenail from a proximate, first position to a distal, second position. 19.The method of claim 17, wherein the cartridge is rotated about an axiswhen executing the determined trajectory.
 20. The method of claim 15,the method further including activating a dryer.